Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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Subscribers: 398
Reviews: 1
Episodes: 215

KP
 May 26, 2024

Description

Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion—told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it. Hosted by two women who’ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features survivors from groups like Heaven’s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more–sharing personal stories of how they got in, how they got out, and everything in between. Each week, they invite these guests alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart. This isn’t a sensationalized deep dive into cults—it’s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free. At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.

Episode Date
An Exciting Update from Lola and Meagan!
Jun 11, 2025
Amanda Rae - The Kingston Clan and Escaping Polygamy
Mar 12, 2025
Maggie Rowe - Sinning Bravely and Moral Scrupulosity
Mar 05, 2025
Caleb Ward, Part 2 - Disneyland for Christians and Exiting the Church
Feb 26, 2025
Caleb Ward, Part 1 - Kingdom Life Ministries and Evangelical Youth Culture
Feb 19, 2025
Uriah Wesman, Part 2 - Growing Up in Three Cults (The Hearts Center and The Ideal Society)
Feb 12, 2025
Uriah Wesman, Part 1 - The First Cult: Church Universal and Triumphant
Feb 05, 2025
Philip Deslippe & Stacie Stukin - 3HO,Kundalini yoga, & Yogi Bhajan
Jan 24, 2025
REWIND: Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away
Jan 15, 2025
REWIND: Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 1: The Nomadic Lifestyle
Jan 10, 2025
Ashlen Hilliard - The Evolution of Cult Intervention Practices
Jan 01, 2025
REWIND: Joann Vaega: Waco Survivor and Former Branch Davidian
Dec 26, 2024
Carolyn Costin - The Link Between Cults and Eating Disorders
Dec 18, 2024
Yoni Shrira, Part 2 - Hard Labor, Isolation, Running Away, and a Dark Legacy
Dec 11, 2024
Yoni Shrira, Part 1 - The Family Foundation School, Troubled Teens, and Snitching Culture
Nov 27, 2024
Tory Hess - From Second Life to Wilderness Commune
Nov 21, 2024
REWIND: Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology
Nov 14, 2024
Bethany Joy Lenz - One Tree Hill, a Secret Cult, and Living a Double Life
Nov 06, 2024
Anne - Psychosis, Delusions, & the Cult of Your Own Mind
Oct 31, 2024
REWIND: Jitarth Jadeja - Former QAnon Believer
Oct 23, 2024
Gareth Gore - Opus Dei, Human Trafficking, & Project 2025
Oct 16, 2024
Norah - Girls Night In: L.A. Facebook Group Gone Culty
Oct 09, 2024
Demetria, Part 2 - Twin Ray Mysticism, Spiritual Retreats, and the Necessity of Rage
Oct 02, 2024
Demetria, Part 1 - Online Gurus, Mysterious Elixirs, and Joining the Twin Ray Cult
Sep 27, 2024
Joelle Tamraz, Part 2 - Meeting The Elders, Emotional Manipulation, and Moving On
Sep 18, 2024
Joelle Tamraz, Part 1 - Traveling to India, Meeting a Swami, and "Past Lives"
Sep 11, 2024
Sara Teitelman - The Culty Elements of Technology
Sep 04, 2024
Min Zhou, Part 2 - Labor Camps, Persecution, and Mass Killings in the Cultural Revolution
Aug 28, 2024
Min Zhou, Part 1 - The Cult of Mao Zedong, and Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution
Aug 21, 2024
Tia Levings, Part 2 - Questioning Fundamentalism, Motherhood, and the Dangers of Christian Nationalism
Aug 14, 2024
Tia Levings, Part 1 - A Well-Trained Wife in the Christian Patriarchy
Aug 07, 2024
Andrea Dunlop, Part 2 - A Family Torn, Munchausen by Proxy, & Critiquing Take Care of Maya
Jul 31, 2024
Andrea Dunlop, Part 1 - Munchausen by Proxy, a Faked Miscarriage, and a Perpetrator in the Family
Jul 24, 2024
J. Wesley Boyd - When Physician Health Programs Go Wrong
Jul 17, 2024
R. Derek Black, Part 2 - How a White Supremacist Changed Their Mind
Jul 10, 2024
R. Derek Black, Part 1 - Former White Nationalist, Growing Up in the KKK, and Cognitive Dissonance
Jun 26, 2024
Ian Rafalko, Part 2 - Son of a YouTube Scientologist Health Guru
Jun 19, 2024
Ian Rafalko, Part 1 - Former Scientology Auditor
Jun 12, 2024
Aliia Roza - Former Russian Secret Agent and Sex Spy
Jun 05, 2024
Rabia Chaudry - Serial, True Crime, & Countering Violent Extremism
May 29, 2024
Jessica Kahn - Y2K Cult
May 23, 2024
Madi Stroud - Daughter of a Cult Leader: Love Has Won & Amy Carlson
May 16, 2024
Dr. Inna Kanevsky - Pseudoscience, TikTok Psychology, & Culty Psychologists
May 09, 2024
Warren Kohl, Part 2 - The Pressures of Preaching in a Secretive Cult
May 01, 2024
Warren Kohl, Part 1 - Preparing to Preach in a Secretive Cult
Apr 25, 2024
Nadine Macaluso - Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds
Apr 17, 2024
Zoe & Lillian, Part 2 - Troubled Teens, Midwest Academy, and Solitary Confinement
Apr 03, 2024
Zoe & Lillian, Part 1 - The Program, Ivy Ridge and Casa by the Sea
Mar 27, 2024
Roberta Blevins, Part 2 - Leaving The LuLaRoe Family
Mar 21, 2024
Roberta Blevins, Part 1 - Inside LuLaRoe
Mar 13, 2024
Lola & Meagan - Am I in a Cult (or Just a Group)?
Mar 06, 2024
Katelyn Jade Hlavaty, Part 2 - Satanic Ritual Abuse & Becoming a Spokesperson
Feb 28, 2024
Katelyn Jade Hlavaty, Part 1 - Joining Operation Light Force
Feb 21, 2024
Sara Gorman - Science, Healthcare, and Why We Ignore Facts
Feb 14, 2024
Jenna Miscavige, Part 2 - Escaping Scientology
Feb 07, 2024
Jenna Miscavige, Part 1 - Growing up in Scientology's Sea Organization
Jan 31, 2024
Crystal Hefner - Surviving The Playboy Mansion
Jan 24, 2024
Michelle Dowd, Part 2 - From the Mountain to the Hospital to Forging Her Own Path
Jan 17, 2024
Michelle Dowd, Part 1 - Becoming a Forager in The Field
Jan 10, 2024
Thomas & Micah, Part 2 - Mormon Mission, Scientology, & Disney Adults
Dec 27, 2023
Thomas & Micah, Part 1 - God, Goofy, and Growing Up Gay in Religion
Dec 20, 2023
Marji Mozart, Part 2 - Life After the FLDS
Dec 13, 2023
Marji Mozart, Part 1 - Growing up in the FLDS
Dec 07, 2023
Barak Hardley - Where Belief Intersects Creativity
Nov 29, 2023
Annie Taylor - The Garden: Commune or Cult
Nov 22, 2023
Alice Hines & Lorraine - Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe
Nov 15, 2023
Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dillard
Oct 25, 2023
Marlene Winell - Leaving The Fold, Religious Trauma, and Emotional Recovery
Oct 18, 2023
Listener Stories - Independent Baptist Movement & Capoeira Teacher
Oct 11, 2023
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 2 - Military Life & Parallels to The Children of God
Oct 04, 2023
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 1 - Children of God, 9/11, & Escaping the Cult
Sep 27, 2023
Andrew Seidel - Christian Nationalism & Information Warfare
Sep 20, 2023
REWIND: Post-Traumatic Growth with Richard Tedeschi
Sep 13, 2023
Simon Kent Fung - Dear Alana & Conversion Therapy
Sep 06, 2023
Dr. Marc Feldman & Jordyn Hope - Munchausen by Proxy aka Medical Child Abuse
Aug 30, 2023
Kyle & Kari, Part 2 - The 2x2s: Uncovering Widespread Sexual Abuse
Aug 23, 2023
Kyle & Kari, Part 1 - Deconstructing The 2x2s
Aug 16, 2023
Martin - Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, & The I.D.W.
Aug 09, 2023
Guinevere Turner, Part 2 - Group Exile, Culture Shock, & Recovery
Aug 02, 2023
Guinevere Turner, Part 1 - The Lyman Family, Compound Life, and Queen Jessie
Jul 26, 2023
Emily Lynn Paulson - Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing
Jul 19, 2023
Madison McGhee - The Dark Side of Sorority Life
Jul 12, 2023
Christy Carlson Romano - Child Actors & the Toddler to Trainwreck Pipeline
Jul 05, 2023
Lindsey Williams, Part 2: Going to IBLP Headquarters & The Downfall of Bill Gothard
Jun 21, 2023
Lindsey Williams, Part 1: Shiny Happy People, The Institute in Basic Life Principles, and Meeting Bill Gothard
Jun 14, 2023
Allison Miller - Interstitial Cystitis, Orthorexia, and an Alternative Medicine Cult
Jun 07, 2023
Jimanekia Eborn - Reclaiming Your Sexuality After Trauma
May 31, 2023
Mubin Shaikh, Part 2: 9/11, Reinterpreting Islam, and Going Undercover
May 24, 2023
Mubin Shaikh, Part 1: Islamic Extremism, Meeting the Taliban, and Getting Radicalized
May 17, 2023
Jennings Brown & Justice - Liana Shanti's Conspiracy Sisterhood
May 10, 2023
Kara Goucher - Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project
May 03, 2023
Perfectionism & Purity
Apr 27, 2023
Robert Fitzpatrick - The History of MLMs
Apr 19, 2023
Priscilla Tucker, Part 2: Escaping the Kingstons, Forced Rehab, and a Billion Dollar Tax Fraud
Apr 12, 2023
Priscilla Tucker, Part 1: The Kingstons, Polygamy, and a Cousin Engagement
Apr 05, 2023
Adam Levin - Romance Scams, Hackers, & Protecting Your Identity
Mar 29, 2023
Zacch Comfort, Part 2: The Bride of Christ Church, and an Important Story From Lola
Mar 22, 2023
Zacch Comfort, Part 1: The Bride of Christ Church and a Sex Offender Turned Prophet
Mar 15, 2023
Sam Ciavarella - When CrossFit Gets Culty
Mar 09, 2023
Keith Page - From Megachurch Pastor to Secular Death Doula
Feb 22, 2023
Rosanna Arquette - Commune Life, Racism, & Harvey Weinstein
Feb 15, 2023
Felicia Rosario and Daniel Levin - Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
Feb 08, 2023
Antonio Perez - Alex Jones, the New World Order, and Conspiracy Theory Addiction
Feb 01, 2023
Chris Kavanagh & Matthew Browne - Decoding the Gurus
Jan 25, 2023
Lauren Drain, Part 2: Life After Westboro
Jan 18, 2023
Lauren Drain, Part 1: Joining The Westboro Baptist Church
Jan 11, 2023
Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology
Jan 04, 2023
Conspiracy Month: Morbid - Elisa Lam, False Accusations, & the Dangers of Web Sleuthing
Dec 28, 2022
Conspiracy Month: Aja Romano & The Satanic Panic
Dec 21, 2022
Conspiracy Month: Mikey Biddlestone - What Makes Conspiracy Theorists Double Down
Dec 14, 2022
Conspiracy Month: Lisa Fazio - Why Fake News Feels Real
Dec 07, 2022
Josh Lobo - What Happens When You Troll a Cult
Nov 30, 2022
Jan Broberg, Part 2: Seduction, Secrecy, and Realizing the Lie
Nov 23, 2022
Jan Broberg, Part 1: Family Grooming, Aliens, and the First Kidnapping
Nov 16, 2022
Trust Me 100!
Nov 09, 2022
Elishaba Doerksen, Part 2 - Escaping Alaska and the Road to Recovery
Nov 02, 2022
Elishaba Doerksen, Part 1 - My Family Cult in the Wilderness
Oct 19, 2022
Abigail Kochunas - The Gloria Gifford Conservatory for the Performing Arts
Oct 12, 2022
Sari Crawford - Synanon: Rehab Program Turned Cult
Oct 05, 2022
Charlotte Laws - IsAnyoneUp.com, Revenge Porn, and the Most Hated Man on the Internet
Sep 28, 2022
Listener Stories - Financial Abuse, Mormon Missions, and Coming Out
Sep 22, 2022
Chris Bail - Online Extremism, Trolls, & the Myth of the Echo Chamber
Sep 14, 2022
Cheryl Nichols - High School Teacher Grooming, Patriarchy, and "Passing the Trash"
Aug 31, 2022
Camille & Trillium - A Pagan Coven and a Southern Fried Narcissist
Aug 24, 2022
Strictly Stalking's Jaimie Beebe & Jake Deptula
Aug 17, 2022
Welcome To The Sunshine Place
Aug 15, 2022
Virginia Heffernan: Edge, Jeffrey Epstein, & the Intellectual Dark Web
Aug 10, 2022
Joann Vaega: Waco Survivor and Former Branch Davidian
Aug 03, 2022
Spencer Schneider: Sharon Gans, School, & a Manhattan Cult Story
Jul 27, 2022
Luis Favela & Honor Academy
Jul 21, 2022
Hank Nuwer & Hazing Culture
Jul 14, 2022
Evan McNary: Assisting Exorcisms, Speaking in Tongues & Pastors in Sunglasses
Jul 06, 2022
G Charles Wright: Growing up Bisexual, Natural Disasters & Abusive Parenting
Jun 22, 2022
Sara Levine & Danny Murphy of Not Another True Crime Podcast
Jun 15, 2022
Monia Ali: One Direction & Toxic Fandom
Jun 08, 2022
Patrick Ryan and Joe Kelly - Transcendental Meditation & Cult Intervention
Jun 01, 2022
Rethinking Trauma: The Power Threat Meaning Framework with Lucy Johnstone
May 25, 2022
Rethinking Trauma: Post-Traumatic Growth with Richard Tedeschi
May 18, 2022
Rethinking Trauma: Self-Regulation and Healing Trauma with Robert Rhoton
May 11, 2022
Rethinking Trauma: Resilience with George Bonanno
May 04, 2022
Jordan Harbinger: Scams, Influence, & The Law of Attraction
Apr 27, 2022
Nitai Joseph, Part 2: When Meditation Gets Culty
Apr 21, 2022
Nitai Joseph, Part 1 - Hare Krishna, Cool Gurus, & Labor Exploitation
Apr 13, 2022
Lynn Short - The New Gnostic Society, Sexual Alchemy, & Lucid Dreaming
Apr 06, 2022
Anne Speckhard - How Terrorists Are Made
Mar 30, 2022
Terra Newell, Part 2 - Killing Dirty John
Mar 23, 2022
Terra Newell, Part 1 - Meeting Dirty John
Mar 16, 2022
Sinasta Colucci – Romance, Racism, & Cover-Ups in Twelve Tribes
Mar 09, 2022
Sinasta Colucci - Twelve Tribes, Farm Life, and The End Times
Mar 02, 2022
The Airborne Toxic Event's Mikel Jollett - My Childhood in Synanon
Feb 23, 2022
Jillian Lauren, Part 2 - Return to Brunei and Meeting a Serial Killer
Feb 09, 2022
Jillian Lauren, Part 1 - Life in a Harem
Feb 02, 2022
Banachek, Part 2 - Critical Thinking vs Skepticism
Jan 26, 2022
Banachek, Part 1 - Mentalism vs Psychic Ability
Jan 19, 2022
Drew Amstutz - Surviving Conversion Therapy
Jan 12, 2022
Amanda Knox & Christopher Robinson - Understanding Cognitive Bias
Jan 05, 2022
Bob Nygaard, Part 2 - How Psychics Manipulate
Dec 22, 2021
Bob Nygaard, Part 1 - Investigating Psychic Fraud
Dec 15, 2021
Lauren & John Matthias – The Daybells, Part 2: Buried Bodies & the Dark Triad
Dec 08, 2021
Lauren & John Matthias – The Daybells, Part 1: Murder, Zombies, & LDS Fan Fiction
Dec 01, 2021
Angie Kehler & Yahanna Masimer - The Assembly of YHWHhoshua
Nov 17, 2021
Listener Stories - Purity Culture & Narcissist Dads
Nov 10, 2021
Rachel Bernstein & IndoctriNation
Nov 03, 2021
Dr. Ramani Durvasula - Narcissism 101
Oct 27, 2021
Jennings Brown - Investigating the Fellowship of Friends
Oct 21, 2021
Glenn Carter - UK Raelian Leader, Part 2: A Debate on Power Dynamics
Oct 06, 2021
Glenn Carter - UK Raelian Leader, Part 1: Aliens, Meditation & Cloning
Sep 29, 2021
The Cult of Hollywood
Sep 22, 2021
Natascia Mallin – Therapy Cult, Part 2: Trauma Bonding & Lifting the Veil
Sep 15, 2021
Natascia Mallin – Therapy Cult, Part 1: A Guru Named Stan
Sep 09, 2021
Christina Babin - Children of God, Part 2: Reprogramming Camps
Sep 01, 2021
Christina Babin – Children of God, Part 1: Punishment Camps & Flirty Fishing
Aug 25, 2021
Katherine - Teal Swan
Aug 19, 2021
Jonas Bell Pasht - How To Become A Tyrant
Aug 12, 2021
Torah Bontrager - Growing Up Amish, Part 2: Escaping & Activism
Aug 04, 2021
Torah Bontrager – Growing Up Amish, Part 1: Corporal Punishment & Rumspringa
Jul 21, 2021
Glynn Washington - The Worldwide Church of God
Jul 14, 2021
Hoyt Richards - From Supermodel to Cult Member
Jul 07, 2021
April Snow - Scientology & the Sea Org, Part 2: Leaving & The Aftermath
Jun 30, 2021
April Snow - Scientology & the Sea Org, Part 1: The LA Celebrity Centre
Jun 23, 2021
Brian Holoyda - Folie à Deux & Shared Delusions
Jun 16, 2021
Danny Gold & Sean Williams - Mafias & Organized Crime
Jun 09, 2021
Taylor Brown - Tech CEOs
May 26, 2021
Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 2: The Tate-LaBianca Murders
May 19, 2021
Dianne Lake – The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie
May 12, 2021
Janja Lalich - Democratic Workers Party and Bounded Choice in Cults
May 05, 2021
Avital Ash - Orthodox Judaism
Apr 28, 2021
Anna LeBaron - Ervil LeBaron, the "Mormon Manson"
Apr 21, 2021
Kilian Aulenbacher - Church Universal and Triumphant
Apr 14, 2021
Gerardo Lopez - MS-13 & the Police, Part 2: The Rampart Scandal
Apr 07, 2021
Gerardo Lopez - MS-13, Part 1: LA in the 80s and 90s
Mar 24, 2021
Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away
Mar 17, 2021
Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 1: The Nomadic Lifestyle
Mar 10, 2021
Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti - Autism, Racism, and a Religious Cult
Mar 03, 2021
M.E. Thomas & Arya - Two Sociopaths (Who Are Dating)
Feb 18, 2021
Elana Auerbach - OneTaste (aka the Orgasm Cult)
Feb 10, 2021
Nicoletta Heidegger - BDSM vs. Abuse
Feb 03, 2021
Yuval Laor - Fervor, Awe, and Hyperreligiosity
Jan 27, 2021
Lucien Greaves - The Satanic Temple, Satanic Panic, & Recovered Memory
Jan 19, 2021
Jitarth Jadeja - Former QAnon Believer
Jan 13, 2021
Amber Dawn Lee - Zion Society (Fundamentalist Mormon Cult)
Jan 06, 2021
Amanda Montell - The Language of Cults and Fanaticism
Dec 30, 2020
Cliff "Fifth" Henderson - Jehovah's Witnesses
Dec 23, 2020
Naomi Gibson - Children of God and NXIVM, Part 2: Recruited into NXIVM
Dec 17, 2020
Frank Meeink - From Neo-Nazism to Anti-Racism
Dec 10, 2020
Naomi Gibson – Children of God and NXIVM, Part 1: Life on an Abusive Commune
Dec 02, 2020
Vikram Gandhi - Being Kumaré, the Fake Guru
Nov 25, 2020
Noël Wells - Scam Psychic Retreat
Nov 18, 2020
India Oxenberg - NXIVM
Nov 11, 2020
Steve Hassan - The Moonies, Trump, and QAnon
Nov 04, 2020
Esther & Lori - Current FLDS Members
Oct 27, 2020
Will Allen - Buddhafield
Oct 20, 2020
Moses Storm - Andrea Yates's Cult
Oct 13, 2020
Lola's Mom - Mormon-Offshoot Cult
Oct 07, 2020
Trust Me Trailer
Oct 02, 2020